Advancing Drug Development by Reducing Reliance on Animal Testing
Case Example: Pre-Clinical Animal Models in Lung Toxicology

Hybrid Public Meeting
February 26, 2026 | 10am-4pm (eastern)

Reducing reliance on animal testing has become an important scientific and regulatory priority, reflecting growing recognition that traditional animal models may lack sufficient human relevance and slow the development of safe and effective therapies.

On February 26, 2026, the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA will convene a hybrid public meeting on Advancing Drug Development by Reducing Reliance on Animal Testing. We invite you to join this meeting, which will bring together voices from academia, the research community, regulators, and regulated industry to examine the challenges that reliance on animal-based safety assessments can present for medication innovation as well as patients. Using animal models in inhalation toxicology as a representative case study, speakers will explore how practical, human-relevant alternatives to rat testing, including FDA-supported New Approach Methodologies, may establish human safety without imposing unnecessary constraints on the progression of development programs. In parallel, the meeting seeks to explore opportunities to align global regulatory expectations for inhalation toxicology and translation to clinic.

Register now to attend this important discussion.

Agenda

10am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

10:15am

Use of Animal Models in Pre-Clinical Lung Toxicology Safety Studies: Current Expectations and Limitations

11am

Industry Experience in Current Environment

11:45am

Panel Discussion: Impact of Current Environment on Product Development and Patients

12:30pm

Lunch

1:15pm

Innovations in Lung Toxicology Safety Studies: New Approaches in Pre-Clinical Models and Clinical Monitoring

2:45pm

Panel Discussion: What the Future Might Look Like

Opportunities to Improve Product Development and Global Alignment

3:55pm

Closing Remarks

4pm

Adjourn

Aer Therapeutics, Avalyn Pharma, Inc., Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Charles River Laboratories, Endeavor BioMedicines, and Ionis Pharmaceuticals provided funding for this meeting.